By Pastor Dr. Shana Wise
The Story of Isaac and Jacob
Week 10 Read Genesis 25-28
· Chapter 25 Main Points
1) Abraham married Keturah and they had children.
2) Abraham died and Isaac became his heir.
3) Ishmael’s descendants are listed.
4) Isaac and Rebecca had twins named Esau and Jacob.
5) Esau sells his birthright to Jacob.
· Other facts: Esau's name means (red) hair; Edom=red. Jacob’s name means “he grasps the heel” or he deceives.
· What was the significance of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob? What lesson can we learn from this story?
· Chapter 26 Main Points
1) Isaac deceives King Abimelech by telling him Rebecca was his sister.
2) There was a conflict over water rights between Isaac’s servants and the people of the land.
3) Isaac made a treaty with King Abimelech.
· Isaac lied about his wife being his sister just like his father Abraham. Jacob also picked up bad ways from his mother Rebecca. Parents can have godly influence over us, but they can also have character flaws that can hinder us. We, as their children, have the choice to do right or wrong knowing that our actions have good or bad consequences.
· What lesson can we learn from Isaac’s response to the conflict over water rights? How does the way we respond to conflict affect others?
· Chapter 27 Main Points
1) Jacob receives Isaac’s blessing.
· Other facts: Jacob pretended to be Esau when Isaac blessed him. Esau hated Jacob for what he did and wanted to kill him.
· What character flaws do you see in Jacob, Esau, Rebecca, and Isaac? What lesson can we learn concerning birthright, blessings, and family dysfunction?
· Despite what happened in this family God remained faithful to the promise of his word. This gives us hope because, despite our shortcomings and dysfunction, God’s word will still accomplish what he purposed it to do.
· Chapter 28 Main Points
1) Jacob flees to his uncle Laban in Paddan-Aram.
2) Esau marries one of Ismael’s daughters (he already had other wives).
3) Jacob had a dream at Bethel.
· Other facts: Bethel means house of God.
· Genesis 28:12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. What do you think this ladder represents?
· God made the same covenant promise (descendants) to Abraham (Gen. 12:2, 13:14, and 22:17), Isaac (Gen. 26:2-5), and Jacob (Gen. 28:13-15). Why do you think God told them individually about his promise?
· Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob also made it a habit to create alters, memorials, and pillars at the places where they encountered the Lord. This was an outward symbol of their worship and honor unto God. In what ways do you honor and worship God?
· Abraham (Gen. 14:20) and Jacob (Gen. 28:22) worshipped God by giving him a tenth of their wealth. We must understand that our giving unto God is a form of worship, and it must come from our hearts.
Week 11 Read Genesis 29-31
· Chapter 29 Main Points
1) Jacob arrives at Paddan-Aram where his uncle Laban lived.
2) Jacob married Leah and Rachel. Leah starts having children.
· Other facts: Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah, he had to marry her before Rachel. Jacob had to work 14 years for Laban for marrying both of his daughters. Jacob tricked Esau and Laban tricked Jacob.
· Each child that was born to Jacob's name had a meaning that reflected the circumstances or feelings of their mothers at their birth. Jacob’s name was changed later by God to Israel. When we have a relationship with God, our past ways and mistakes do not stop the plans of God for our life. God will change our name to reflect the growth and relationship that we have with Him.
· Gen 29: 35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore, she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing. Leah had three children before Judah and their names did not reflect him, in fact, that was the opposite because she felt unloved. Leah chose to shift her focus from feeling unloved to praising God. Have you ever felt unloved, and you internalized it? How did you overcome it? Next time you feel unloved praise and worship God.
· Chapter 30 Main Points
1) Rachel starts having children.
2) Jacob's wealth increases. Laban is unfair concerning the flock.
· Other facts: Leah and Rachel compete by giving Jacob, children.
· Laban tricked, deceived, and was unfair to Jacob with the herd, but God still blessed Jacob. If God did it for Jacob, he will do it for us too. Remain faithful to God despite others.
· What other lessons can we learn from this story?
· Chapter 31 Main Points
1) Jacob and his family flee from Laban and Laban pursue them.
2) Jacob and Laban make a treaty and Laban returns home.
· What other lessons can we learn from this chapter?
Week 12 Read Genesis 32-34
· Chapter 32 Main Points
1) Jacob journeys home with his family.
2) Jacob sends messengers and gifts to his brother Esau.
3) Jacob wrestles with God.
· After Jacob wrestled with God, his name was changed to Israel (Gen. 32:28).
· Gen. 32:26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” Jacob was determined to be blessed by God. Are you persistent like Jacob concerning your request to God?
· What was the significance of Jacob wrestling with God?
· Chapter 33 Main Points
1) Jacob and Esau make peace.
· This story should give us hope concerning our past mistakes with others, especially family members. Sometimes time heals old wounds. We should want to have the spirit of reconciliation and strive to make our wrongs right.
· Chapter 34 Main Points
1) Jacob’s daughter Dinah was raped by Shechem, and her brothers Simeon and Levi took revenge on him, his family, and the town.
· Romans 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. How can taking revenge into our own hands be harmful to us and others?
Week 13 Read Genesis 35-36
· Chapter 35 Main Points
1) Jacob returns to Bethel.
2) God confirmed his promise again to Israel.
3) Rachel (childbirth) and Isaac died.
· Other facts: Bethel means house of God.
· Genesis 35:17-28 Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, “Do not fear; you will have this son also.” 18 And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin. Israel knew the importance of a name. He changed his son’s name to Benjamin. How has God changed your name since you have been in a relationship with him?
· Chapter 36 Main Points
1) The descendants of Esau were listed.
2) The original people of Edom were listed.
3) The rulers of Edom were listed.
About the Author
Dr. Shana Wise is an ordained Pastor and CEO of Wise Choice Ministries (est. 2016). She is the founder of The Well Christian Women’s Network formally known as Christian Women Preachers United. Dr. Wise is the author of women’s devotionals Acts of Intercession and Chief Women Arise, The Impact of Your Election, and Basic Ministry Training Manual (all available on Amazon). She received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2019 from St. Thomas Christian University. Her passion is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, equip others to apply the Word to their lives, and demonstrate the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a televangelist that appears on social media outlets. Shana is married to Deacon Ron Wise and is the mother of four children.
For speaking engagements email: wisechoiceministries512@gmail.com.
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Acts of Intercession
The Impact of Your Election
Basic Ministry Training Manual
Chief Women Arise
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